The traffic signal box painted by Norman Sisson was near completion when it was painted over with primer after the city received calls about stereotyping.

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A traffic signal box intended to be a celebration of cooking's place in Southern culture and Jackson was painted over with primer after the city received calls about stereotyping.

Artist Norman Sisson was expecting a discussion and opportunity to modify his design when it was covered with primer - the result, city officials said, of a miscommunication.

The traffic signal box painting project is a public art initiative and a collaboration between the Greater Jackson Arts Council and the city. It started with 17 boxes in downtown Jackson, then moved on to 13 in progress along the U.S. 80 ...